The Tuvaluan Dollar is the currency of Tuvalu - a small nation in the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu has never had banknotes of its own, and has been issuing coins since 1976; these circulate together with coins of the Australian Dollar, which is also legal tender in the country, and to which the Tuvaluan Dollar is pegged.
The Australian Perth Mint issues a large variety of non-circulating legal tender coins under the authority of Tuvalu. Some of these are in the silver five-ounce format (abbreviated as 5 oz). Strictly speaking, they are not bullion as they are priced at a premium and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic merit and collectable value and not just for their precious metal content.
This coin is part of the Goddesses of Olympus (continuation of Gods of Olympus) series of premium bullion coins by the Perth Mint, which started in 2014 and then continued in 2020. This issues is dedicated to Hera, who was worshipped as the Goddess of Women and Marriage, the Queen of the Olympians and the wife of Zeus, who was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus, and also her brother.
Hera had the ability to bless and protect a woman’s marriage, bring her fertility, protect her children, and ensure she was financially secure. However, she was known for her vengeful and jealous nature, particularly toward her husband’s many lovers and their children, who she often punished. Despite her rage at his infidelities, Hera remained loyal and faithful to her husband, bearing three of his children, Hebe, Ares, and Hephaestos. |